2024 Overview

In 2024, The Lisa Gasteen National Opera Program (LGNOP) primarily concentrated on Italian repertoire and recitative. Staff will include Philip Mayers, Stuart Maunder AM, Sharolyn Kimmorley AM, an Italian language coach, as well as a European coach recognised as an expert on recitative.

As usual, LGNOP ran for 3 weeks during late November and early December, located at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University. LGNOP provides comprehensive support for those with successful auditions, including concentrated daily vocal and language coaching, lectures, and discussions centred around relevant cultural environments.

Participants also received a professional video recording and photographs of their performance, available free of copyright for personal use, and a full scholarship.

2024 Coaches

We are thrilled to announce that Felice Venanzoni from the Frankfurt Opera, will join us for our 2024 Program. We also welcome back Sharolyn Kimmorley, Teresa Demarchelier, and Sarka Budinska to the coaching staff for the 2024 Program. Last but not least, we welcome back Stuart Maunder AM, who will direct our performance of Opera Scenes.

Philip Mayers Artistic Director

Felice Venanzoni Recitative Expert

Stuart Maunder Director

Sharolyn Kimmorley Vocal Coach

Teresa Desmarchelier Lyric Diction Coach

Jennifer Enchelmaier Vocal Coach

Meet the 2024 LGNOP Artists

Following an intensive audition process with 47 applicants, we are happy to present the 13 chosen musicians for the 2024 Lisa Gasteen National Opera Program. The audition panel included Lisa Gasteen AO, Philip Mayers, and Jennifer Marten-Smith.

The selected participants come from all Australian states bar the Northern Territory, and represent a diverse range of voice types while all displaying potential.

Lily Ward

Jia-Peng Yeung

Morgan Rosati

Jack Bolton

Aylish Ryan

Callum McGing

Brittney Northcott

Jake Lyle

Gianna Guttilla

Sophie Mohler

Kira Dooner

Hew Wagner

Performances

Elsewhere

Songs About the Mediterranean... Where the Oranges Grow

Host: Philip Mayers

30th of November 2024, 7:00pm

From the beginning, northern Europeans have always been attracted to the Mediterranean: the sun, the shining sea, olive groves and vineyards, not to mention classical ruins and the cradle of western culture - what’s not to like? Poets and composers  were particularly enamoured of the vibrant South, as this evening’s programme illustrates.

Beginning with Goethe’s Mignon, who famously asks if we know the land “where the orange trees grow”, we will hear songs by Schumann, Fanny Hensel, Strauss, Debussy and Ravel, among many others, all inspired, at first by Italy, and then Spain and the rest of the Mediterranean. And, as travel became simpler, and the world became smaller, further afield. Until, of course, it’s time to go home…

Griffith University 140 Grey Street,

Queensland Conservatorium,

South Brisbane

Opera  

Scenes

Director: Stuart Maunder AM

Conductor: Felice Venanzoni

La bella Italia! The main-stage production of the 2024 LGNOP, directed by Stuart Maunder AM, and accompanied by the invaluable Ensemble Q, pays homage to the birthplace of opera itself, and the rich and varied culture it has shared with the world. This year, we are presenting scenes from operas, either by Italian composers such as Rossini and Donizetti, or, in the second half of the evening, by composers of other nationalities, ranging from Handel to Offenbach (not to mention Gilbert and Sullivan!), who have looked to Italy for their inspiration.

Whether in Venice, Padua, Rimini or Terracina, our talented young singers feel right at home, having enjoyed three weeks of intensive training in all the skills necessary for singing Italian opera, not least thanks to the inestimable skills of our guest coach and conductor, Felice Venanzoni, from Frankfurt Opera.

An evening of love, laughter, drama and la dolce vita – just what you would expect.

Griffith University 140 Grey Street,

14th of December 2024, 7:30pm

Queensland Conservatorium,

South Brisbane

Workshops, Lectures, and Listening Rooms

  • Listening Room With Sharolyn Kimmorley

    27th November 2024 - 5:30PM-7:00PM

    A listening room with Sharolyn Kimmorley

  • listening room with Felice Venanzoni

    4th December 2024 - 5:30-7:00PM

    A listening room with Felice Venanzoni

  • Lecture With Nancy Underhill

    28th November 2024 - 5:30PM-7:00PM

    A lecture from Nancy Underhill.

  • Lecture with Greg Massingham

    5th December 2024 - 5:30-7:00PM

    A lecture from Greg Massingham.

  • Masterclass with Felice Venanzoni

    6th December 2024 - 6:00PM-8:00PM

    A masterclass with Felice Venanzoni, our our guest coach and conductor, Felice Venanzoni, from Frankfurt Opera.